Chinese President Xi Jinping orders PLA to prepare for combat

The China’s People’s Liberation Army has been ordered to “prepare for combat” by Chinese President Xi Jinping to protect and defend its territory against any possible hostile moves from Asian countries, specifically actions from the United States at all cost in the South China Sea

This comes ahead of an international tribunal on Tuesday that’s expected to issue an unfavorable ruling against China’s claims over the South China Sea. A report said from Arirang.com.

U.S.-based Boxun News said Tuesday that the instruction was given in case the United States takes provocative action in the waters once the ruling is made.

The Chinese Luyang II-class guided missile destroyer Jinan and other ships in formation at the South China Sea – rand.org

The UN Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) ruled in favor of the Philippines in the case filed on 2012 by the Philippine government versus China, dismissing China’s nine-dash line historical claims.

The PCA said, “There was no legal basis for China to claim historic rights to resources within the sea areas falling within the ‘nine-dash line’,” the court said, referring to a demarcation line on a 1947 map of the sea, which is rich in energy, mineral and fishing resources.

Chinese President Xi Jinping (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

China responded by labeling the ruling “ill-founded” and refused to be bound by it.

Chinese foreign spokesperson said China “does not accept and does not recognize” the ruling by a UN-backed tribunal on its dispute with the Philippines over the South China Sea, the official Xinhua news agency said Tuesday.

However, Xi Jinping fears that the U.S. could be used on the ruling to justify aggressive military maneuvers in the area and has ordered PLA forces to prepare for war.

Prior to the PCA ruling the United States USS Ronald Reagan aircraft carrier fleet were already stationed in the South China sea, while the Chinese Navy also carrying out exercises near the disputed Paracel islands. – Jason E.

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